Green Maintenance

In addition to types of green flooring, there are products that can be used in conjunction with flooring that may possess green qualities. The most common are adhesives and cleaners.

There are further considerations than just the actual flooring that will be purchased. The installation method and products used should be taken into consideration as well as how the final product will be maintained.

Keep caulked areas caulked. Every degree of temperature variance in a home can result in up to 10% addition to your heating and cooling expenses.

Check your doors. Energy can be lost through doors that are not spaced properly from the floor. If you are having flooring replaced or added, a professional installer can check your doors for proper install height.

Minimize use of space heaters. Spaces heaters are energy hogs and can generate more than 2 pounds of greenhouse gas per hour. These heaters don’t help your hardwood floors because the heaters increase the contraction of hardwood floors.

Purchase hardwood floors with the FSC Seal that are not clear-cut or harvested in a sustainable fashion. There are only 4% of our own native, old growth forests still standing. The US is the world’s largest importer and consumer of timber woods and products.

Other Green Building Selections To Consider

Lighting and HVAC

Light bulbs – the easiest and smartest thing you can do to contribute is to change the type of light bulbs you use. A single CFL (Compact Fluorescent) replaces up to 10 traditional light bulbs and uses about a quarter of the energy. They will last 5-7 years! One CF light bulb saves 500 pounds of coal.

Eco bulbs are usually brighter than the packaging says, so if you are looking for a 60 watt, you only need to buy a 40 watt.

Properly sized and highly efficient furnaces

Use airtight can lighting rather than traditional can lighting to prevent air from escaping around each unit

Use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate) air filters

Use central vacuum systems because they are isolated and remove household floor pollutants

Choose heating and cooling devices that are energy star approved

Choose programmable thermostats to decrease energy use when not needed.

Paint and Wallpaper

Use Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and primers

Use paints, primers, and finishes that are solvent free.

Choose wallcoverings that are made with environmentally friendly fibers and water-based inks.

Choose pre-pasted wallcoverings that do not contain vinyl, PVC or VOC’s which can emit toxins into the air

Breathable wallcoverings inhibit the growth of mold and mildew

Appliances

Choose appliances with the Energy Star label – these use much less water and electricity and save you money in the long run

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